Business English Idioms

[PROESL]

Everyone was dissapointed about losing their jobs in customer service and purchasing, but the writing had been on the wall for months. The company hasn't turned a good profit since the beginning of the year.


the writing is on the wall - it's easily noticeable - it's easy to understand that something is going to happen, usually something bad

turn a good profit - make enough money for a business to be profitable

[PROESL]

This is not exactly an idiom, but it's a unique usage.

I want this package overnighted. - I want this package to reach it's destination tomorrow.

[misiania]

Since you have mentioned profit, I could mention loss... which reminds me of
'write off' - cancelling a debt, or removing it from the records, applies to insurance companies as well (i.e. car write off)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right

[anupumh]

Pink Slip

To give or show the pink slip = To ask to leave the copmany or resign from the post

[anupumh]

Tight Lipped

Being quite or secretive about something. Not disclosing or uttering a word about something.

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by misiania

Since you have mentioned profit, I could mention loss... which reminds me of
'write off' - cancelling a debt, or removing it from the records, applies to insurance companies as well (i.e. car write off)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right

So we have to get rid of all this stuff. It's just sitting here, and we need the space.

Why don't we just throw it away? It's marked NG - no good.

A manager has to sign off on it first.

So who's supposed to do that?

One of the managers.

So what's the problem?

No manager in this company wants to sign off on it. No one wants to be responsible for the loss on paper. So this stuff will probably just sit here indefinitely.



sign off on "something" - give permission to do something by signing a document - give one's approval to do something

[PROESL]

Prices continue to plummet.

[PROESL]

Prices have taken a nosedive.

[PROESL]

Prices have dropped sharply.

[PROESL]

Prices have been skyrocketing.